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If you’ve ever searched for a heating and cooling contractor in the Inland Empire area, you may have noticed that companies offer residential HVAC services, commercial HVAC services, or both. Residential heating and air conditioning services are for homes, while commercial services are for businesses.
In our most recent blog, the NATE-certified technicians at Sanborn’s Heating & Air Conditioning discuss the differences between how commercial and residential HVAC systems operate and the importance of hiring the right company to perform services.
Why Are Residential and Commercial HVAC Services Separate?
Heating and cooling contractors typically offer residential and commercial HVAC services separately. While some of the HVAC equipment used is the same, there are many more types of equipment used in commercial applications that just aren’t suited for use in homes.
Plus, home heating and cooling requirements are much different than the needs of a large commercial building, offices, or a production factory. These services are advertised separately because contractors need to know the specifics of how commercial HVAC systems work to be able to best serve the needs of business clients.
Differences Between Commercial and Residential Heating and Cooling Equipment
The type and size of the structure served isn’t the only difference between residential and commercial HVAC systems. While they both provide heating and cooling, commercial HVAC systems use different principles and components to meet the needs of larger facilities.
- HVAC equipment for commercial buildings is much larger than that used in a home. These systems require more power to operate, too.
- Residential units such as air conditioners or heat pumps are usually located along the exterior of the home, while furnaces or air handlers sit inside. Commercial HVAC equipment is often positioned on the roof of a building and packaged in a single cabinet to save space, reduce noise, and simplify maintenance.
- Commercial HVAC systems are much more complex than residential heating and cooling solutions. Systems must be able to accommodate the type of building and the activities going on inside. For example, HVAC solutions for manufacturing facilities require the ability to exhaust byproducts and ventilate the space on a much larger scale than any home. Building automation systems offer enhanced energy management to conserve costs and regulate HVAC use throughout a facility.
- While there is some degree in customization for residential HVAC systems, residential equipment is much more straightforward than commercial equipment. Commercial HVAC systems are customized for the specific needs of a facility.
Choosing the Right Contractor
If you’re a homeowner, it’s important that you choose a residential HVAC contractor to work with. Commercial building owners and facilities managers, meanwhile, should work with commercial HVAC specialists. The scale and needs of each type of structure are very different, and you want to hire a professional who has the right set of skills and knowledge for your application.
Residential HVAC contractors are well-versed in equipment solutions that work well in homes, though they may not know the complexities of how a commercial HVAC system works. On the other hand, commercial HVAC contractors can design and install complex systems for large buildings, but they may not be adept at determining how to solve the comfort issues experienced in a small home. When your money and comfort are at stake, it pays to choose the right type of professional.
Call Sanborn’s for Your HVAC Needs
Whether you need a new heating system for your home or require a professional who knows how commercial HVAC systems work to design a custom solution for your facility, Sanborn’s Air Conditioning & Heating does it all. We offer both commercial and residential heating and cooling services to ensure you receive the expertise needed for optimum comfort and control over your indoor environment. Contact us today to schedule an appointment for all of your heating and cooling needs.